Analysis and Modeling of the Turbulent Diffusion of Turbulent Kinetic Energy in Natural Convection

Buoyant flows often contain regions with unstable and stable thermal stratification from which counter gradient turbulent fluxes are resulting, e.g. fluxes of heat or of any turbulence quantity. Basing on investigations in meteorology an improvement in the standard gradient-diffusion model for turbulent diffusion of turbulent kinetic energy is discussed. The two closure terms of the turbulent diffusion, the velocity-fluctuation triple correlation and the velocity-pressure fluctuation correlation, are investigated based on Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) data for an internally heated fluid layer and for Rayleigh–Bénard convection. As a result it is decided to extend the standard gradient-diffusion model for the turbulent energy diffusion by modeling its closure terms separately. Coupling of two models leads to an extended RANS model for the turbulent energy diffusion. The involved closure term, the turbulent diffusion of heat flux, is studied based on its transport equation. This results in a buoyancy-extended version of the Daly and Harlow model. The models for all closure terms and for the turbulent energy diffusion are validated with the help of DNS data for internally heated fluid layers with Prandtl number Pr = 7 and for Rayleigh–Bénard convection with Pr = 0.71. It is found that the buoyancy-extended diffusion model which involves also a transport equation for the variance of the vertical velocity fluctuation gives improved turbulent energy diffusion data for the combined case with local stable and unstable stratification and that it allows for the required counter gradient energy flux.     

An Attempt to Assess the Quality of Large Eddy Simulations in the Context of Implicit Filtering

While methods for assessing the uncertainty of Reynolds–Averaged–Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations have been well established in the past, the verification of Large Eddy Simulations (LES) is more difficult. One reason is that the numerical discretization error as well as the subgrid scale model contribution depend on the grid resolution and that both terms interact. In the present paper the accuracy of single-grid estimators to assess the amount of the unresolved turbulent kinetic energy is studied first. In the second part of the paper the sensitivity of the simulation results on the modeling error as well as the numerical error will be investigated in the context of LES with implicit filtering. This will be achieved by performing a systematic grid and model variation. The analysis is applied to an isothermal, turbulent, plane jet and a turbulent channel flow.     

An Attempt to Combine Large Eddy Simulation with the k-ε Model in a Channel-Flow Calculation

Large eddy simulation (LES) is combined with the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equation in a turbulent channel-flow calculation. A one-equation subgrid-scale model is solved in a three-dimensional grid in the near-wall region whereas the standard k–ε model is solved in a one-dimensional grid in the outer region away from the wall. The two grid systems are overlapped to connect the two models smoothly. A turbulent channel flow is calculated at Reynolds numbers higher than typical LES and several statistical quantities are examined. The mean velocity profile is in good agreement with the logarithmic law. The profile of the turbulent kinetic energy in the near-wall region is smoothly connected with that of the turbulent energy for the k–ε model in the outer region. Turbulence statistics show that the solution in the near-wall region is as accurate as a usual LES. The present approach is different from wall modeling in LES that uses a RANS model near the wall. The former is not as efficient as the latter for calculating high-Reynolds-number flows. Nevertheless, the present method of combining the two models is expected to pave the way for constructing a unified turbulence model that is useful for many purposes including wall modeling. Received 11 June 1999 and accepted 15 December 2000     

Experimental study and mathematical simulation of the characteristics of a turbulent flow in a straight circular pipe rotating about its longitudinal axis

The vorticity formed in the cross section of a turbulent flow in a straight circular pipe rotating about its longitudinal axis decreases the values of the turbulent stresses, turbulence energy, and dissipation rate along the pipe. The results of laboratory experiments and calculations by the second-order closure model of turbulent transfer are presented. On the whole, the model using a system of transport equations yields better agreement with experimental data than the models with algebraic relations for second-order moments. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 103–116, March–April, 1998.     

Evolution of the turbulent wakes of spherical bodies in stably stratified media

A turbulent wake model, based on the Reynolds, energy and turbulence dissipation equations together with the closing relations for the turbulent transport coefficients, is proposed. A comparative investigation of swirled momentumless wakes with zero and nonzero angular momentum is carried out. Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 13–22, January–February, 1994.     

Two-parameter model of a turbulent flow with a dispersed-particle admixture

Using a two-point probability density function for the particle distribution over velocities and coordinates, a closed model of the particle effect on the turbulent flow characteristics is formulated. The processes of turbulent dissipation and turbulent energy transfer across the spectrum are studied. Different models of two-phase turbulence are compared. Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 40–56, July–August, 1998. The work received financial support from INTAS (grant No. 94-4348) and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project No. 98-01-00-353).     

Three-dimensional supersonic turbulent flows past conical bodies

The results of the numerical simulation of supersonic three-dimensional flow past sharp-nosed cones with circular and elliptic cross-sections in the turbulent shock-layer flow regime are presented. The calculations are performed in the local conical approximation using the system of Reynolds equations and the differential one-equation turbulence model. The numerical solutions are obtained by means of an implicit constant-direction finite-difference scheme. The emphasis is placed on the investigation of the transverse flow separation and the flow features associated with the turbulent flow regime. St.Petersburg. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 99–105, January–February, 2000. The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project No. 99-01-00735).     

On a Generalized Nonlinear K–ε Model and the Use of Extended Thermodynamics in Turbulence

A resent extension of the nonlinear K–ε model is critically discussed from a basic theoretical standpoint. While it was said in the paper that this model was formulated to incorporate relaxation effects, it will be shown that the model is incapable of describing one of the most basic such turbulent flows as is obvious but is described for clarity. It will be shown in detail that this generalized nonlinear K–ε model yields erroneous results for the Reynolds stress tensor when the mean strains are set to zero in a turbulent flow – the return-to-isotropy problem which is one of the most elementary relaxational turbulent flows. It is clear that K–ε type models cannot describe relaxation effects. While their general formalism can describe relaxation effects, the nonlinear K–ε model – which the paper is centered on – cannot. The deviatoric part of the Reynolds stress tensor is predicted to be zero when it actually only gradually relaxes to zero. Since this model was formulated by using the extended thermodynamics, it too will be critically assessed. It will be argued that there is an unsubstantial physical basis for the use of extended thermodynamics in turbulence. The role of Material Frame-Indifference and the implications for future research in turbulence modeling are also discussed. Received 19 February 1998 and accepted 23 October 1998     

Turbulent thermal in a stratified atmosphere

An approximate analytical model of a turbulent thermal in a stratified atmosphere is proposed. This model makes it possible to predict the dynamics of the ascent, suspension and oscillation processes of a buoyant cloud both within the troposphere and on entering the stratossphere. The values of the heat energy needed for the thermal to penetrate the tropopause in northern and southern latitudes are estimated. Estimates are obtained for the amount of material dumped into the stratosphere. A method of determining the thermal energy of volcanic eruptions of the explosive type is proposed. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 141–153, November–December, 1986.     

Analyzing the influence of compressibility on the rapid pressure–strain rate correlation in turbulent shear flows

The influence of compressibility on the rapid pressure–strain rate tensor is investigated using the Green’s function for the wave equation governing pressure fluctuations in compressible homogeneous shear flow. The solution for the Green’s function is obtained as a combination of parabolic cylinder functions; it is oscillatory with monotonically increasing frequency and decreasing amplitude at large times, and anisotropic in wave-vector space. The Green’s function depends explicitly on the turbulent Mach number M _t , given by the root mean square turbulent velocity fluctuations divided by the speed of sound, and the gradient Mach number M _g , which is the mean shear rate times the transverse integral scale of the turbulence divided by the speed of sound. Assuming a form for the temporal decorrelation of velocity fluctuations brought about by the turbulence, the rapid pressure–strain rate tensor is expressed exactly in terms of the energy (or Reynolds stress) spectrum tensor and the time integral of the Green’s function times a decaying exponential. A model for the energy spectrum tensor linear in Reynolds stress anisotropies and in mean shear is assumed for closure. The expression for the rapid pressure–strain correlation is evaluated using parameters applicable to a mixing layer and a boundary layer. It is found that for the same range of M _t there is a large reduction of the pressure–strain correlation in the mixing layer but not in the boundary layer. Implications for compressible turbulence modeling are also explored.      

Calculation of two-phase swirling flows

The results of calculating the diffusion of a dispersed admixture in turbulent swirling jet flows using the model of momentum transfer in a turbulent gas—dispersion flow proposed by the authors are presented. These results are compared with experimental data and with calculations based on various mathematical models. Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.1, pp. 71–78, January–February, 1994.     

The propagation mechanism of high speed turbulent deflagrations

The propagation regimes of combustion waves in a 30 cm by 30 cm square cross–sectioned tube with an obstacle array of staggered vertical cylindrical rods (with BR=0.41 and BR=0.19) are investigated. Mixtures of hydrogen, ethylene, propane, and methane with air at ambient conditions over a range of equivalence ratios are used. In contrast to the previous results obtained in circular cross–sectioned tubes, it is found that only the quasi–detonation regime and the slow turbulent deflagration regimes are observed for ethylene–air and for propane–air. The transition from the quasi–detonation regime to the slow turbulent deflagration regime occurs at (where D is the tube “diameter” and is the detonation cell size). When , the quasi–detonation velocities that are observed are similar to those in unobstructed smooth tubes. For hydrogen–air mixtures, it is found that there is a gradual transition from the quasi–detonation regime to the high speed turbulent deflagration regime. The high speed turbulent deflagration regime is also observed for methane–air mixtures near stoichiometric composition. This regime was previously interpreted as the “choking” regime in circular tubes with orifice plate obstacles. Presently, it is proposed that the propagation mechanism of these high speed turbulent deflagrations is similar to that of Chapman–Jouguet detonations and quasi-detonations. As well, it is observed that there exists unstable flame propagation at the lean limit where . The local velocity fluctuates significantly about an averaged velocity for hydrogen–air, ethylene–air, and propane–air mixtures. Unstable flame propagation is also observed for the entire range of high speed turbulent deflagrations in methane–air mixtures. It is proposed that these fluctuations are due to quenching of the combustion front due to turbulent mixing. Quenched pockets of unburned reactants are swept downstream, and the subsequent explosion serves to overdrive the combustion front. The present study indicates that the dependence on the propagation mechanisms on obstacle geometry can be exploited to elucidate the different complex mechanisms of supersonic combustion waves. Received 5 November 2001 / Accepted 12 June 2002 / Published online 4 November 2002 Correspondence to: J. Chao (e-mail: jenny.chao@mail.mcgill.ca) An abridged version of this paper was presented at the 18th Int. Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems at Seattle, USA, from July 29 to August 3, 2001.     

Another Proof of Stability for Global Weak Solutions of 2D Degenerated Shallow Water Models

We consider non-linear viscous shallow water models with varying topography, extra friction terms and capillary effects, in a two-dimensional framework. Water-depth dependent laminar and turbulent friction coefficients issued from an asymptotic analysis of the three-dimensional free-surface Navier–Stokes equations are considered here. A new proof of stability for global weak solutions is given in periodic domain Ω = T², adapting the method introduced by J. Simon in [15] for the non-homogeneous Navier–Stokes equations. Existence results for such solutions can be obtained from this stability analysis.     

Convective structures in a thin layer of an evaporating liquid under an airflow

Evolution of convective structures in a thin layer of an evaporating liquid (ethanol) located under a turbulent boundary layer of an airflow is studied experimentally and theoretically. Evolution of the structures is examined under conditions of an increased flow velocity. A transition is found from convective cells formed in the absence of the flow to convective rolls elongated in the streamwise direction. The theoretical analysis is performed within a two-dimensional model of the flow in the liquid layer. The boundary conditions on the liquid surface are obtained with the use of self-similar solutions for mean fields in the airflow. The onset and evolution of a periodic system of rolls are simulated numerically. Theoretical conclusions are compared with experimental data. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 3–14, July–August, 2007.     

Modelling gas dynamics in 1D ducts with abrupt area change

Most gas dynamic computations in industrial ducts are done in one dimension with cross-section-averaged Euler equations. This poses a fundamental difficulty as soon as geometrical discontinuities are present. The momentum equation contains a non-conservative term involving a surface pressure integral, responsible for momentum loss. Definition of this integral is very difficult from a mathematical standpoint as the flow may contain other discontinuities (shocks, contact discontinuities). From a physical standpoint, geometrical discontinuities induce multidimensional vortices that modify the surface pressure integral. In the present paper, an improved 1D flow model is proposed. An extra energy (or entropy) equation is added to the Euler equations expressing the energy and turbulent pressure stored in the vortices generated by the abrupt area variation. The turbulent energy created by the flow–area change interaction is determined by a specific estimate of the surface pressure integral. Model’s predictions are compared with 2D-averaged results from numerical solution of the Euler equations. Comparison with shock tube experiments is also presented. The new 1D-averaged model improves the conventional cross-section-averaged Euler equations and is able to reproduce the main flow features.     

Simulation of bluff body stabilized flows with hybrid RANS and PDF method

The motivation of this study is to investigate the turbulence–chemistry interactions by using probability density function (PDF) method. A consistent hybrid Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS)/PDF method is used to simulate the turbulent non-reacting and reacting flows. The joint fluctuating velocity–frequency–composition PDF equation coupled with the Reynolds averaged density, momentum and energy equations are solved on unstructured meshes by the Lagrangian Monte Carlo (MC) method combined with the finite volume (FV) method. The simulation of the axisymmetric bluff body stabilized non-reacting flow fields is presented in this paper. The calculated length of the recirculation zone is in good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, the significant change of the flow pattern with the increase of the jet-to-coflow momentum flux ratio is well predicted. In addition, comparisons are made between the joint PDF model and two different Reynolds stress models. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (50506028), and Action Scheme for Invigorating Education Towards the twenty-first century.     

Cauchy–Born Rule and the Stability of Crystalline Solids: Static Problems

We study the connection between atomistic and continuum models for the elastic deformation of crystalline solids at zero temperature. We prove, under certain sharp stability conditions, that the correct nonlinear elasticity model is given by the classical Cauchy–Born rule in the sense that elastically deformed states of the atomistic model are closely approximated by solutions of the continuum model with stored energy functionals obtained from the Cauchy–Born rule. The analysis is carried out for both simple and complex lattices, and for this purpose, we develop the necessary tools for performing asymptotic analysis on such lattices. Our results are sharp and they also suggest criteria for the onset of instabilities of crystalline solids.     

Scale-up criterion of turbulent flows of dilute polymer solutions and a generalized dependence of the friction coefficient

Dilute polymer solutions that reduce turbulent friction are treated as viscoelastic liquids for which, in addition to the Reynolds number, the scale-up criteria include the Deborah or elasticity number. Introduction of a generalized (viscoelastic) Reynolds number makes it possible to reduce the experimental curves for the drag coefficients obtained in pipes of various diameters at different and concentrations to a unified dependence. St. Petersburg. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 191–196, July–August, 1998.     

Nonlocal turbulent transport in a buoyant vortex ring during the ascent of a thermal in a stratified atmosphere

The flow initiated by a hot gas cloud (thermal) in a stratified atmosphere is calculated on the basis of theκ-ε turbulence model and the transport model for the Reynolds stresses and turbulent fluxes and the results obtained are compared The nonlocal nature of the turbulent transport in a vortex ring and its effect on certain flow characteristics are explained In particular, the calculations carried out using the Reynolds stress model show much slower cooling of the temperature-vortex torus than those based calculated on theκ-ε-model Modification of theκ-ε-model to take the effect of curvature of the streamlines approximately into account makes it only partially possible to reproduce the results obtained on the basis of the Reynolds stress model Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 12–20, January–February, 1999. The research was carried out with support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project No. 95-01-00544a).     

Plane Strain Bending of Cylindrical Sectors of Admissible Compressible Hyperelastic Materials

In the theory of nonlinear elasticity of rubber-like materials, if a homogeneous isotropic compressible material is described by a strain–energy function that is a homogeneous function of the principal stretches, then the equations of equilibrium for axisymmetric deformations reduce to a separable first-order ordinary differential equation. For a particular class of such strain–energy functions, this property is used to obtain a general parametric solution to the equilibrium equation for plane strain bending of cylindrical sectors. Specification of the arbitrary function that appears in such strain–energy functions yields some parametric solutions. In some cases, the parameter can be eliminated to yield closed-form solutions in implicit or explicit form. Other possible forms for the arbitrary constitutive function that are likely to yield such solutions are also indicated.